Report from the Magic Kingdom’s 40th Anniversary

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MAGIC KINGDOM!

This morning the Magic Kingdom celebrated its 40th birthday.

The celebration was low-key (for reasons Jim Hill speculates about here) but well attended.

The castle forecourt was packed by 9.10a, and by then the stores were sold out of 40th anniversary swag.

Around 9.40 or so, the Main Street Philharmonic began entertaining those in the area of the castle with a medley of songs beginning with Zippity Doo Dah, and later the Dapper Dans joined.

By this point, the special parade was nearing the castle, and the audio shifted to the soundtrack for the special parade.

A parade of characters and songs from prior anniversaries ended at the forecourt, and the characters all assembled there.

Brief, low key speeches, fireworks, an explosion of streamers, and a community sing-along of “When You Wish Upon a Star” were the highlights.

The image on the right includes one of the streamers, and also the special 40th anniversary souvenir park map and button that were available this morning.

For more details on the day, see this.

I can’t hear “When You Wish Upon a Star” anymore without crying, as I am now older than my parents were than they first brought me.

Getting frail and in their 80s, my parents have probably made their last trip to Walt Disney World.

Happy Birthday, Magic Kingdom, and thanks, Mom and Dad.